Locomotive-headlight blind.



No. 879,377. PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

- F. J. PEWINGS. LOGOMOTIVE LIGHT BLIND. APPLICATION JULY 12,1905.

HEAD

FILED Java/Z502 'No. 879,877. PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908. F. J. FEWINGS.

LOCOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT BLIND.

APPLICATION rum) JULY'12,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- 1720622 for gedra ci a THE NDRRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, D. 1:.

to, whereby the blind can be operated to motive.

FREDERIOK J. FEWINGS, DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

' LOCOMOTIVE-HEADLIGHT BLIND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed July 12. 1905- Serial NO. Z69A15.

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, FREDERICK J. FEw- I INGS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State ofMinnesota,- have invented new and useful Improvements inLocomotive-Headlight Blinds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to locomotive headlight blinds, and the objectthereof is to provide a headlight blind constructed in a manner ashereinafter more specifically referred to, and which can be used inconnection with any construction of locomotive headlight, either roundor square, which will effectually screen. or hide the light of alocomotive, said blind being particularly useful for the purpose ofscreening or hiding the light when a locomotive is standing upon asiding, inasmuch as the train approaching from the opposite directionwill not see the headlight of the locomotive upon the siding, and alldanger of confusion is thereby avoided.

The invention further resides in forming a part of the blind as a meansfor indicating the number of the train when the blind is moved toposition to screen the headlight.

The invention further aims to provide means hereinafter morespecifically referred screen the light through the medium of theengineer from the cab or locomotive, thereby avoiding the dangerousoperation of working the blind from the forward end of the 1000- Theinvention further aims to provide a locomotive headlight blind whichshall be simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable,efficient in its use, readily operated to screening position, as well asremovable from screening position, acting as a means for indicating thenumber of a train easily set up and comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingswhich form a part of this specification and particularly pointed out inthe claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings,

in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the practical application of theinvention; Fig. 2

is a front elevation showing the blind projected toscreen the light;Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the blind-holder with thetrainnumber-indicating plate removed, the holder being broken away atone end; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the interior ofthe casing and the cylinder pipe; also the manner in which thepiston-rod is fastened to the blind holder; Fig. 5 is a verticalsectional view of the device; Fig. 6 is a front view showing thearrangement of the cylinder pipe and air supply pipe with respect to thecasing containing the blind and blind-holder; Fig. 7 shows amodification for retracting the blind, and Fig. 8 is a view similar toFig. 7 of another modified form. Referring to the drawings by referencecharacters, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding partsthroughout the several views, 1 denotes an ordinary locomotiveheadlight, the casing of which may be rounded, square or any shapedesired; and connected with the casing of the headlight at one side is acasing 2 extending upwardly at an inclination and preferably rectangularin contour, although the shape of the casing may be of any suitablecontour. 2 at its upper end is flanged as at 3, and through the saidflanges suitable holdfast devices extend for the purpose of securing thecasing 2 to the casing 1 of the headlight. The casing 2 is furthermoresupported upon a standard 4 which is fixed to the body of thelocomotive. The casing 2 is adapted to contain the blind-holder, theblind and other elements associating with the blind-holder and theblind. Said blind, holder and the other elements will be hereinaftermore specifically referred to. The casing 1 is provided with an openingwhich is arranged in suitable relation with respect to the casing 2 sothat the blind-holder and blind can be projected from the casing 2,through the said opening in the casing 1 and across the front of theheadlight so as to screen the light.

The blind or screen is indicated by the reference character 5, and isconstructed of any material suitable for intercepting the rays of light,and the said blind 5 is folded or plaited, and has its upper side edgessecurely fastened in any suitable manner to the flexible bands or straps6, 7, Figs. 5 and 7. The flexible band or strap 6 has its ends securedThe casing to one of the flanges 3, and the flexible band or strap 7 hasits ends secured to the other of the flanges 3, and each of the saidbands or straps 6, 7 passes over the rollers 8, 9, the former beingarranged in the upper end of the blind-holder 10 and the latter near thelower end of the casing 1. The flexible straps 6,7 are arranged withrespect to the blind-holder 10 so that a portion of the strap 6 will lieabove and below the top wall of the blind holder, and a portion of thestrap 7 will lie above and below the bottom wall of the blind-holder, orin other words, the straps 6, 7 are adapted to inclose the top andbottom walls of the blind-holder; and to obtain such an arrangement, thesaid top and bottom walls of the blind-holder are connected to the frontand rear walls at a point removed from the longitudinal edges thereof.That portion of the strap 6 which is arranged below the top wall of theblind-holder is secured to one side of the blind, and that portion ofthe strap 7 which is arranged above the bottom wall of the blind-holderis secured to the other side of the blind. By such an arrangement, whenthe blind is projected forwardly, it will automatically open, as will beevident.

The blind-holder 10 which also forms a part of the blind when the latteris projected so as to intercept the rays of light, as best shown in Fig.3, is formed of a pair of vertically-eXtending plates 11,12, the formerbeing the front wall of the blind-holder and the latter the rear wall.These plates are connected together near their top through the medium ofthe plate 13 which forms the top wall of the blind-holder. This plate 13is not as long as the plates 11, 12, and the said plates 11, 12 at theirbottom are connected together by a plate 1 1 which forms the bottom wallof the blind-holder. The plate 14 is not as long as the plates 11, 12.The plates 11,12 at their upper or forward ends are fur thermoreconnected together through the medium of a pair of shafts 15 which carry.the rollers 8. The plates 11 and 12 are provided with an opening 16,and the opening in the plate 11 has the longitudinal edges thereofprovided with outwardly-extending angular projections 17 which form aseat as well as a retaining means for a train-number-indieating plate orplates 18. The plate or plates 18 have the desired numbers cut thereinso that when in position and the blind projected, the light will showthrough the numbers so that any one can readily ascertain the number ofthe train at the same time that the headlight is screened. Owing to thearrangement of the holder 10 and plate 18 with respect to the blind 5,the said holder 10 and plate 11 form a part of the blind 5 when theblind is projected.

In Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings, the blind is projected throughthe medium of fluid pressure, preferably in the form of air,

said pressure acting against a means to be presently described so as toimpart movement to said means, and thereby project the blind. The blindis retracted also through the medium of fluid pressure, preferably air.For the purpose of obtaining the projecting and retracting of the blind,as well as the holder, through the medium of fluid pressure, preferablyair, two air supply pipes are provided, and which are indicated by thereference characters 19 and 20. These pipes 19 and 20 lead into thelocomotive cab, and are provided with suitable regulating valves underthe control of the engineer so that whenever it is desired to project orretract the holder and the blind, the regulating valves are suitablyoperated so that a pressure of air can be supplied to operate the meansto project and retract the blind and holder which will now be described.The pipe 19 leads into a cylinder 21 arranged in front of the casing 2,but if desired, the cylinder 21 can be arranged at the rear of thecasing 2. Within said cylinder 21. operates a piston 22 connected to apiston rod 23 which projects through the upper or forward end of thecylinder 21 and is secured to a depending lug 2 1 carried by the holder10. Therefore, it will be evident that if pressure is supplied to thecylinder 21 and against the piston 22, the same will be moved forwardcarrying the holder 10 and blind 5 therewith, thereby projecting theblind. T 0 retract the blind and holder, the cylinder 21 at its forwardend is provided with an opening which communicates with a branch pipe 25leading into the pipe 20. So, therefore, if pressure is supplied throughthe pipe 20 into the branch 25 and from there into the forward end ofthe cylinder 21, the pressure will act upon the piston 22 and move thesame in what may be termed a rearward direction, and consequently theholder 10 and blind 5 will be returned to within the casing 1. The

branch 25 is connected with the cylinder 21 1 through the medium of thecap 26 which opens into said cylinder 21, or rather, which communicateswith one end of the cylinder 21, the latter being open so thatcommunication will be had between the cap 26 and the cylinder 21.

A. means is provided so that the blind 5 can be readily used fordifferent-sized headlights, and in this connection all that isnecessary, is to limit the projecting movement of the blind. Suchlimiting movement can be had by providing the piston-rod 23 with aplurality of removable stops 27.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings, a modified means is shown for retracting theholder and blind, and in this connection, the pipe 20, branch 25 and cap26 are dispensed with, and in lieu thereof, a strong spiral spring 28 isemployed which has one end fixed to the casing 1, as at 29, and itsother end fixed to the holder 10,

as at 30. It will be evident that when pressure is removed from thepiston 22 that the action of the spring 28 will retract the holder andblind within the casing 1.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings another modified means is shown for retractingthe holder and blind, and which consists of constructing the straps 31of elastic material, the action of which when pressure is relieved uponthe piston 23, will cause the retraction of the holder and blind.

In Fig. 8 a modified means is shown for in creasing or diminishing thediameter of the blind to suit various sized headlights, and whichconsists in forming in what may be termed the inner end of the blind, aplurality of openings for the reception of a bolt 32 which secures theblind to the operating straps 31. Thus it will be seen that if the blindis secured to the straps 31 by the bolt 32 being placed in the outeropening, it will not be possible to extend the blind to as great adiameter, as when the bolt is placed in the lower opening. Thisexplanation also applies to the removable stops 27, shown in Fi 4.

From the foregoing, it is evident that an exceedingly simple andefficient construction of blind for locomotive headlights which can beused in connection with any and all constructions of headlights, can beoperated entirely from the locomotive cab, and when in use, will notonly completely screen or blind the headlight, but will also permit ofthe number of a train being clearly indicated.

Although it has been stated that the invention is particularly adaptedfor the pur pose of screening locomotive headlights when the saidlocomotive is upon a siding, it will, of course, be understood that theinvention is capable of other uses as some signal systems utilize alocomotive headlight for the purpose of transmitting signals, and it isobvious that owing to the ease and facil ity of operation and the speedwith which the blind or screen canbe opened or closed, that theinvention would be particularly adapted to this system.

Other uses and advantages will also be apparent to those skilled in theart to which it belongs.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A casing containing a foldable blind, a fluid-pressure operated meansfor expanding and projecting the blind, and a fluid-pressure operatedmeans for retracting the blind.

2. An expandible and retractable locomotive headlight blind having meansfor in creasing or diminishing the diameter thereof when expanded.

3. An expandible and retractable locomo tive headlight blind havingmeans for increasing or diminishing the diameter thereof when expanded,combined with means forming a part of said blind for indicating thenumber of a train.

4. An expandible and retractable locomotive headlight blind having meansfor increasing or diminishing the diameter thereof when expanded,combined with a fluidpressure operated means for expanding andretracting the blind.

5. An expandible and retractable locomotive headlight blind having meansfor increasing or diminishing the diameter thereof when expanded,combined with means forming a part of said blind for indicating thenumber of a train, and fluid-pressure operated means for expanding andretracting the blind.

6. A headlight casing, a casing arranged exterior of saidheadlight-casing and containing a foldable blind, afluid-pressureoperated piston arranged exterior of the said blind-casingand connected with the blind for projecting it into said headlightcasing when the piston is operated, and means for supplying fluidpressure against said piston for operating it in a counter direction toretract the blind.

7. A device for screening 'a locomotive headlight, comprising anexpandible and retractable blind, a holder therefor provided withopenings, a train-number-indicating means carried by the holder andarranged in suitable relation with respect to said openings, afluid-pressure-operated means for projecting and expanding said blindand for projecting said holder and means across the path of light, and afluid-pressure-operated means for retracting said blind, holder andmeans.

8. A locomotive headlight blind, comprising an interchangeable means forindicating the number of a train, combined with a fluidpressure-operatedmeans for expanding the blind and projecting saidtrain-number-indicating means, and a fluid-pressure-operated means forretracting said blind and trainnumber-indicating means.

9 An apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a holderarranged there in and provided with an interchangeabletrain-number-indicating means, a blind arranged in said holder,fluid-pressure-operated means for projecting the blind and holder inadvance of a locomotive headlight, thereby screening the same, afluidpressure-operated means for retracting the blind and holder.

10. A foldable blind adapted to be projected into a headlight casing, aholder moving with and carrying said blind, a fluidpressure-operatedmeans for projecting said holder and blind, means for connecting theblind to the holder, whereby as the said holder is moved in onedirection, the blind will be expanded and when the holder is moved inthe opposite direction, the blind will be closed and drawn within theholder and a fluid-pressure-operated means for retractingthe holder.

11. A device for screening locomotive headlights'comprising anexpandible and retractable blind, a projectable and retractable holdertherefor, having the blind connected thereto and provided in its frontand rear face with openings, and further provided on its front face withangular projections arranged in close proximity to the opening in saidfront face, a train-numberindicating means seated in and retained bysaid projections against said holder, a fluidpressure-operated means forprojecting said holder, blind and means across the path of light,causing thereby the expanding of the blind, and a fluidpressure-operatedmeans for retracting the holder, blind. and trainnumber-indicatingmeans.

12. A device for screening locomotive headlights, comprising anexpandible and retractable blind, a projectable and re tractable holdertherefor having the blind connected thereto and provided with openingsand further provided on one face with angular projections arranged inclose proximity to the openings in said face, a trainnumber-indicatingmeans seated and retained in position by said angular projections, afluid-pressure operated means projecting said blind, holder and meansacross the path of light, thereby screening the same and for retractingsaid blind, holder and means to inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK J. FEWINGS.

Witnesses:

C. A. POND, EDWARD H. WINDoM.

for.

